Barney's Blog

Ex-Microsoft CTO vs. Global Warming

Nathan Myhrvold is a major-league brain. Decades ago, Microsoft bought Myhrvold's company Dynamical Systems not just for its multi-tasking technology, but more for the pure brainpower of Nathan and his brother Cameron. Nathan eventually founded Microsoft Research, became chief technology officer at Microsoft, and then left Microsoft a decade ago to pursue private hobbies and investments.

All this is to give credibility to Myhrvold's idea to fight global warming. Under the plan, balloons will lift into the stratosphere a huge hose through which sulfur is pumped -- sulfur that blocks the sun and lowers temperatures. And you could pump more or less sulfur depending on temperature trends.

Unlike the trillions involved in worldwide cooling efforts, Myhvrold's scheme only costs a quarter of a billion dollars. Bill Gates could probably nab that with a few swipes of his ATM card.